Exploring Photography as a Contemplative Practice from a Taoist Perspective

Saturday, July 13, 2013

PhotoTao Card #32 - Emptiness

Emptiness

To be empty is the gift of the few.

To experience this emptiness is the

benediction of being human.

- Exercise -

You cannot add anything to a full cup.Practicing "emptiness" is allowing a placefor new ideas to rest. Practice this as youwander in museums - let new ideas in. Practice this when you wander in thelandscape - let all possibilities find awelcoming home in your heart. Dorothea Lange advises that the bestway to approach a new landscape is to"go in ignorant."

There's Always One in Every Crowd....

"A little learning is a dangerous thing."- Alexander Pope

I think this applies to photographers as well. If you think you know the best way to make an image then all other ways become unsuitable. If only certain subjects are "worthy" then others are unacceptable. This kind of dualistic thinking is stifling to the contemplative photographer. We must remain empty bowls so that we can be open to receive the images we need to receive. (Read my post on Empty Bowls here.)

This type of thinking is especially harmful when it comes to exploring a familiar landscape close to home. We think we know it...there is nothing else to find. How wrong that is! This photograph is of a farm near my home in Maine. I've been by it hundreds of times, usually on my way to Portland; on my way to somewhere else. I never, until a month or so ago, took the time to stop and observe it.

They raise Highland cattle on this farm and this adventurous soul was cooling off in the pond while his companions remained safely ashore. I thought that this is the kind of photographer I want to be. I don't want to remain safely on shore making "acceptable" images in traditional ways...I want to wade right into the landscape and see what lies under the surface. After all, that's where the interesting stuff is!

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Welcome to A Photographic Sage!

This blog explores the juncture of contemplative camera work and the search for a way of photographing the world around us through the characteristics of the Taoist sage. For the Contemplative Photographer, the camera is viewed as an extension of a persons heart and mind and the resulting photographs as a visual, and highly personal diary of experience and expression. Where traditional photography focuses on subject and technique, Contemplative Photography makes the connection between meaning and personal experience the over-riding emphasis. This blog will delve into the metaphoric capabilities of the photographic medium. I welcome readers to join in the discussion on Contemplative Photography by posting your comments . Thank you for visiting and enjoy the journey! - Patricia TurnerVisit my Pinterest boards for more inspiration or you can pin these latest ones directly to your boards. - Visit Patricia's profile on Pinterest.

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Field Guide for the Contemplative Photographer

Click on this picture to down load a free PDF of my field guide.

Focusing on Life Blog

My Interview on 365 Days of Inspiration...

Follow the link below to read the interview by Kim Manley Ort on her wonderful blog, 365 Days of Inspiration. Be sure to download your free e-book version of The Field Guide for the Contemplative Photographer above!

The Fertile Rock - The Burren Series

Patricia Turner

I live in an old farmhouse in the mountains of Western Maine with my philosopher in residence, Emerson. (A sweet cat that tolerates my long hours of reading and writing.) When I'm not in Maine I'm traveling the world. Follow my travels on:

A Summer Sojourn to the Hebrides

Click on the picture and see a YouTube video of my color photographs of the Western Isles. The photograph above appeared in the Spring edition of Scottish Life Magazine. A feature article of my black and white images of the Western Isles appeared in the Summer edition. The Fall edition features 7 of my color photographs of South Uist and my photograph is also on the cover! Pick up your copy today, it is a wonderful publication. You can also get back issues on their website...the link is above.